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By:

Prasad Dixit

11 October 2024 at 1:09:23 am

The Human Advantage in an Artificial Age

As artificial intelligence grows smarter and more efficient, the real battle may not be about machines surpassing humanity but about whether humans squander the qualities that still set them apart. With the recent news of a Chinese robot beating the human record in a half- marathon, there is renewed debate on how AI could outsmart human beings. Many experts see it as yet another proof of impending disaster as AI takes over most of the jobs in the years to come. This is not the first time when...

The Human Advantage in an Artificial Age

As artificial intelligence grows smarter and more efficient, the real battle may not be about machines surpassing humanity but about whether humans squander the qualities that still set them apart. With the recent news of a Chinese robot beating the human record in a half- marathon, there is renewed debate on how AI could outsmart human beings. Many experts see it as yet another proof of impending disaster as AI takes over most of the jobs in the years to come. This is not the first time when human civilization is facing a technological revolution that has the potential to impact society and economy in a profound manner. There is, however, a crucial difference with AI driven revolution that is often missed out. The first industrial revolution happened because steam engines were invented and it led to mechanization of production. It was followed by discovery of electrical energy and technologies to harness it for mass production. Next wave of evolution was led by computerization and automation in practically all the fields covering both offices and industrial shop floors through mainframes, personal computers, and programmable logic controllers. While all these leaps in technologies are very different in terms of the specific underlying inventions, they all have one thing in common. They were all invented to do things that were humanly impossible to do. One steam engine or electric motor could do the work that perhaps hundreds of humans would never be able to accomplish even with their collective muscle power. Automation of the manufacturing assembly line would deliver speed and accuracy that human beings would never be able to achieve. Beyond Human Technological advances in Telecommunication, for that matter, have simply expanded the range of 'hearing' and 'seeing' far beyond what human vocal chords, ears, and eyes could manage to do on their own. Computers, at its core, are essentially doing the math and calculations at a speed and accuracy that the human brain can never achieve. To add to that, machines using all these innovations in technology would work tirelessly without any fatigue for a duration that human beings would never be able to match. Although AI is yet another highly potent technological innovation, it is not as straightforward as the previous ones. It can absorb and synthesize huge amounts of data that the human brain perhaps cannot do. Ability of AI to answer any question reasonably well using all the global knowledge made available to it, summarize enormous amount of data and text quickly, quickly draw a complex picture based on instructions given verbally, predict a trend, recognize and highlight a specific face in a fraction of a second from millions of faces, write code based on simple English instructions, are all examples where the speed and accuracy of underlying computation is delivering what human being cannot match. However, there are several areas where human beings are trying to improve AI so that it can, some day, match or exceed capability that human beings themselves already have. Examples of this include the ability of AI to completely replace a human driver safely in all situations, understand full context or an intent behind a statement, carry out complex and well-coordinated mechanical activity in response to various unpredictable situations, react appropriately by correctly assessing the emotions at play, integrate generated code appropriately in the existing larger systems landscape, and so on. In such cases, AI is not exhibiting any capability that is humanly impossible to match. On the contrary, AI is trying to catch up with what humans can do easily. In other words, in these areas, AI is trying to become what humans already are. This very aspect separates AI driven technology revolution from all the previous ones. Direct Competition It is often said that AI and humans will co-exist in the future, and people will need to change their ways of working. It is obvious that AI is also going to directly compete with humans in many sectors. Equipment with an embedded chip on-board do compete with humans even today. A case in point is household equipment such as ‘intelligent’ washing machines and dish-washers where robots to do vacuum cleaning and floor mopping do compete with humans offering these services. A human household help can perform these activities far better than what a machine can do. However, given an affordable choice, an increasing number of households prefer machines over human maid services for a reason. Human household help may not always be punctual, sincere, honest, and reliable. But machines are. Uncontrolled emotions, anger, frustration, laziness, indiscipline, absenteeism do affect humans - but not AI driven machines (at least till the time AI itself acquires emotions of its own, and becomes self-aware some day). This aspect of comparison between AI and humans is likely to become far more prominent and consequential as AI driven machines and robots become more and more intelligent and thereby start competing far more effectively with human capability in many spheres. Competition is said to bring about improvement. Just as AI improves itself through continuous learning to mimic human behaviour and actions, human workforce also needs to improve itself by avoiding behavioural issues and inefficiencies referred to above. Otherwise, humans would lose the natural advantage that they still enjoy over AI, and which is likely to continue even in the foreseeable future. Employers or consumers in the labour-intensive service sector will accept AI driven machines and robots with all its known limitations if it turns out to be a better net-net deal in comparison to services offered by humans. This specific aspect has tremendous significance for India. Many Countries from the developed world do not have a young population with reasonably good IQ in required numbers. India, on the other hand, has it in abundance. One could compare it with abundant availability of Thorium or Sunlight in India as compared to the Western world. Consequently, unlike many Countries in the world that have a Uranium centric approach towards nuclear energy, India's approach needs to be centered around Thorium. India's strategy related to renewable, non-conventional, green energy needs to be based on solar power. Indian Context Strategies for adopting AI in the Indian context need to be similarly tailored for the Indian context. India needs to adopt AI in the areas where it clearly has an advantage over humans in terms of speed, throughput, ease of use, accuracy, and efficiency. However, the use of AI needs to be judiciously controlled in areas where AI is trying to catch up with the capabilities of the human mind and body. Several labour-intensive services such as drivers, caregivers for the elderly people, parcel delivery, security guards, maintenance and repair of various equipment, are all examples in that category. Educational policies and overall work culture in the Country needs to appreciate this reality. Just as AI experts are trying hard to 'teach' AI algorithms and improve them through supervised learning, another set of experts need to sensitize and teach humans on how to understand, appreciate, preserve, and further hone the significant natural advantage that they already have over AI. Despite all the technological breakthroughs in AI, in many areas, still, it is a battle that humans will lose only if they choose to. (The writer works in the Information Technology sector. Views personal.)

One Man’s Vision, One Village’s Transformation

Chandrakant Dalvi didn’t leave Nidhal behind—he returned with a vision and turned a drought-prone village into a model of modern rural development.


Imagine standing in a drought-prone field, the ground cracked and dry under the harsh sun. Women pass by, balancing pots of water on their heads. Roads are poor, the local school is crumbling, and mud houses stretch along a barren landscape with barely a patch of green. You wouldn’t want to stay there, nor did Chandrakant Dalvi.


But this remarkable man didn’t turn his back on the harsh reality of his birthplace—Nidhal village in Khatav Taluka, Satara, Maharashtra. A boy who studied in the village school went on to pursue higher education and returned as an IAS officer. His journey and achievements are well-documented online, so I won’t repeat that. Instead, I hope to capture him in words that go beyond his career and title.


A man so deeply rooted in his land that, for over four decades, he has worked for the development of a place most wouldn’t even wish to imagine standing in. And this seed of change wasn’t sown after he earned a prestigious post. It began during his MSc (Agriculture) in 1980–81, when a young man with a spark in his eye started researching Nidhal. The rest, as they say, is history.


Often, those who leave their hometowns rarely return. But Dalvi is a clear exception; he left to come back, driven by a spirit of transformation. I’ve never met him, and perhaps never will. But I met him through the book Nidhal: Gramvikasacha Dalvi Pattern by Sunil Chavan.


I’ve had the privilege of knowing the author, Chavan, since childhood. Straight-talking yet compassionate, and deeply rooted in agricultural and rural life—who better to bring this book to life?


An actor by profession and a philanthropist by passion, Nana Patekar has worked tirelessly for sustainable water solutions through the NAAM Foundation. In the book’s foreword, he recalls being given a write-up on Nidhal but chose to visit first, reflecting his genuine commitment. He also believes the story deserves a place in the curriculum for its power to inspire rural development across India.


More than a book, this thoughtfully crafted volume serves as a handbook for anyone interested in rural development—those who’ve left their villages, social workers, gram panchayat members, or villagers aiming to uplift their communities.


As for that ‘new height’—remember the drought-prone land we imagined? It’s now a transformed village with modern infrastructure: water supply schemes, connecting roads, healthcare services, multi-purpose gardens, and more.


Dalvi’s MSc research laid the foundation for the initiative. He found that around 750 people had migrated to cities like Mumbai and Pune. In 1983, under his leadership, an association was formed, and all 750 were invited to celebrate Diwali in Nidhal—over 400 attended.


At this gathering, it was decided that migrants would contribute Rs 101 annually, and each village household Rs 51, until the high school was built. This continued for nearly 10 years, resulting in a beautiful school.


Dalvi has been devoted to holistic rural development. In his retirement year, 2018, he founded the SATV Foundation (Strategic Alliance for Transforming Villages). Inspired by the Nidhal model, SATV now works in 15 villages. Nana Patekar has said NAAM and SATV will soon collaborate for greater impact.


As mentioned, Dalvi is an exception. A driven young man who earned a prestigious government post, he worked tirelessly for village development from day one, through retirement, and beyond, collaborating with villagers, professionals, and businesspeople. His dedication is truly rare and inspiring.


Mumbaikars may know the Mahalaxmi Saras Exhibition, the vibrant event showcasing exquisite handicrafts, antiques, and authentic regional food. Among many stalls, 65 women from Nidhal stand out, winning awards. Next time you visit Saras, be sure to find Nidhal’s stall.


This remarkable village has earned prestigious titles and government honours, including the SAARC Village Award, ECO Village recognition, the National Water Award, and the Nirmal Gram Puraskar. IIM Kolkata students have researched its transformation, and a student group from IIT Bombay held a camp in Nidhal to study its progress.


This remarkable journey from a neglected village to a modern one wasn’t overnight. Over 41 years, Mr. Dalvi and his supporters faced hardships and setbacks with determination and resilience.


Now their success is what I truly call a ‘new height’!


At this point, I should probably stop myself from giving away too many spoilers.


After reading the book and researching Nidhal and Dalvi, I believe no development is possible without consistent, united effort and a visionary leader like him to guide the way.


And I can’t thank Chavan enough for capturing and presenting this entire upward journey so beautifully.


On this note, I’d like to say, “Mehnat ka phal hamesha Nidhal hota hai!”


(The writer is a law student based in Mumbai.)

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